Marvel Universe has reportedly auditioned 16-year-old Mateus Ward for the part of Peter Parker in the new Spider-Man reboot, which is set for a 2017 release.
As reported earlier, the new movie will take Spider-Man back to Midtown High School, and he will be fighting crime out of his classroom. This was one of the reasons why Sony did not want Andrew Garfield to reprise the role, as they wanted a teenager to play the character.
Other actors who have been mentioned with regards to the role include Dylan O'Brien, Sam Strike and Freddie Highmore. But they are all in their 20s, and Ward, 16, seems to be a strong contender for the part.
Ward has been a part of "Hostages," "Murder in the First," and "Weeds," and according to Badass Digest he secretly read for the part of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "It was so super secret they held the audition at a house, not any sort of office, but word leaks out, as it always will," Devin Faraci of Badass Digest wrote.
The actor hasn't addressed the rumour, but the young Peter Parker is set to make his first appearance in "Captain America: Civil War," which begins filming in April and will open in theatres next year.
While it's too soon to say if Ward will be offered the role, fans are divided on whether he'll make a good Peter Parker.
I think Mateus Ward have some Peter Parker's materials. @SuperheroFeed pic.twitter.com/40N18iC4rk
— SKIPooL (@Firdaus_Kazman) March 23, 2015
On the one hand, at least Mateus Ward is a teenager. But on the other, I'm kind of sick of Peter Parker. — Elena Morgan (@ElenaM52) March 24, 2015
Rumor is 16 year old Mateus Ward auditioned for Spider-Man, so that confirms they want High School aged, & he is white so Peter Parker.
— Tadd Winter (@TaddWinter) March 23, 2015
There's still no news about the actress who will play Mary Jane. But Shailene Woodley is reportedly still interested to take up the part.
"Heck yeah," she said when asked if she would like to play the role. Woodley was earlier cast as Mary Jane in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." But her role was cut as the producers wanted to focus on the Peter Parker's relationship with Gwen Stacy.
"The Spider-Man" reboot, written and directed by Drew Goddard, opens on 28 July, 2017.
